Muscle Flexibilty and Explosive Power in Young Artistic Gymnast Boys at Different Performance Level

Abstract

A gymnast can not succeed without enough uscle strength and endurance. The aim of this study was to determine the differences between explosive power and flexibility in young gymnast boys at different performance level. Ninety five young boys who participated in this study, were divided into two artistic gymnasts(N=53) and sedentary (N=42) Groups. Artistic gymnastswere classified based on their performance level and sports history to elite (E, N=15) and/or non-Elite (Ne, N=38) groups. Explosive power of subjects was determined via vertical and standing long jumps. Sit and reach flexibility test was used to determine the lower body muscle flexibility. Our results showed that explosive power and flexibility test records were significantly different among three groups (P≤0.001). According to this study results, it was concluded that sport specific exercise training resulted in the concurrent improvement of explosive power and flexibility of young gymnasts.